Pests and Diseases

2014 Farm Bill, Section 10007: Consolidation of Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention ProgramsThis provision combines the legislative language for the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) with the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (2008 Farm Bill Section 10201) in the Plant Protection Act. It authorizes permanent funding for both programs, giving $62.5 million per year in Commodity Credit Corporation funding from FY 2014-FY2017 and $75 million per year in FY 2018 and beyond. At least $5 million must go to NCPN annually. Learn More.

Plant Pest and Disease Programs
PPQ responds to many new introductions of plant pests to eradicate, suppress, or contain them through various programs in cooperation with state departments of agriculture and other government agencies. These may be emergency or longer term domestic programs that target a specific regulated pest.

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) ProgramPPQ ensures that new introductions of harmful plant pests and diseases are detected as soon as possible, before they have a chance to cause significant damage. To accomplish this, PPQ and its State cooperators carry out surveys for high-risk pests through a network of cooperators in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program.

Crop Biosecurity and Emergency Management
PPQ provides national leadership and coordination in crop biosecurity and emergency management. As the lead Federal agency for plant health emergencies, PPQ works cooperatively with national and international plant protection organizations; Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies; universities; industries; and private entities in developing and implementing science-based framework designed to provide optimum protection against invasive pests and diseases.

Biological Control
PPQ works with cooperators to import, screen, develop, release, implement, monitor, and transfer biological control technologies to prevent the establishment, slow the spread, and manage pests of significant economic, environmental or regulatory importance.